Indiana RadioWatch: April 16, 2018

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Northeast

Quincy Broadcasting's NBC affiliate WPTA-TV (Channel 21.2, Fort Wayne) ("Fort Wayne's NBC") promotes Julian Teekaram to morning co-anchor of their local "Fort Wayne's NBC News Today." Ms. Teekaram previously reported during the week and anchored on weekends at sister "ABC21" (Channel 21.1) since 2016. Ms. Teekaram last worked at WLIO-TV in Lima, Ohio (morning news anchor).

Jéntill Neal recently joined Heartland Media's FOX affiliate/WFFT-TV (Channel 55, Fort Wayne) as a reporter. Ms. Neal graduated from Hampton University and last worked in Lansing, Michigan, as a reporter for WILX-TV.

Northcentral

Indianapolis Nocturne, the eclectic classic rock show hosted by Russ Dodge and Devon Dean renames itself: Indiana Nocturne. Based at Kids First's WITT (91.9fm, Zionesville), the show will add their first affiliate: Voice of the Fighting Irish's WSND (88.9fm, Notre Dame). WSND will air the show on Friday from 11pm until Midnight. A second non-commercial affiliate should be added in May.

Northwest

Purdue's football radio voice for 15 years recently died. Joe McConnell was 79. After Mr. McConnell graduated in 1962 from Franklin College, he began working at Purdue's WBAA (920am, West Lafayette). His career took him to play by play roles for NFL, NBA, and MLB teams. Mr. McConnell joined Purdue again in the mid 1990s and retired in 2009. Then-Indiana governor (now Purdue's president) Mitch Daniels named Mr. McConnell as "Sagamore of the Wabash" in 2009.

Eastcentral

Where Are They Now? Former Indiana Public Radio (WBST-FM, et al) GM Stewart Vanderwilt becomes the new president of Colorado Public Radio.

Central

John Stehr, veteran anchor at Dispatch Broadcasting's NBC affiliate/WTHR-TV (Channel 13) will retire in June. His final day anchoring "13 Eyewitness News" will be Wednesday June 20.

A broadcaster for over 40 years, Mr. Stehr began his broadcasting career while still in college in Erie, Pennsylvania. He worked in Indianapolis twice: First in the 1980s, when he anchored, produced and reporter for WISH-TV (Channel 8, Indianapolis) for their "Nightbeat" newscast. Later on, he became one of the founding anchors at the brand new cable network CNBC. After CNBC, Mr. Stehr joined CBS News and anchored the CBS Morning News. In retirement, Mr. Stehr will contribute to community events (such as the Indianapolis 500) and special coverage (such as election night).

Ken Myers will soon join the Emmis/Indianapolis as a staff engineer. Mr. Myers isn't a stranger to Emmis, as he worked for over 20 years as Assistant Chief Engineer (later as Chief Engineer) at their Terre Haute radio and TV stations, before Emmis sold their TV station and radio stations in separate transactions.

After 17 years, Nexstar's CW affiliate/WISH-TV (Channel 8, Indianapolis) meteorologist Ken Brewer exits. Before joining Channel 8, Mr. Brewer worked in Florida, as a meteorologist in Tallahassee and later in Miami. Mr. Brewer joined Huntsville, Alabama-based Baron Services, Inc. There, he will work with former WISH-TV news director and chief meteorologist Steve Bray, who left WISH in 2015.

Mark Dominic, broadcast technician at E.W. Scripps' ABC affiliate/WRTV-TV (Channel 6, Indianapolis) died from a heart attack. He was only 49 years old.

Hal Barron died last month. He was 84. Mr. Barron worked at educational television stations across the country, then arrived in Indianapolis and became a news producer at what was then WFBM (Channel 6). Mr. Barron also worked as a production manager at WISH-TV (Channel 8). After broadcasting, Mr. Barron joined the Defense Information School at Fort Benjamin Harrison.

Southwest

Where Are They Now? Former WFIE-TV (Channel 14, Evansville) anchor Joe Terrell becomes News Director for KLTV-TV (Tyler, Texas) and KTRE-TV (Lufkin, Texas).

This Week (and Last Week) in Indiana Radio History

April 9: In 2004, what was then WYLT (103.9fm, Fort Wayne) flipped formats from Hot AC to Pop CHR, but remained "My 103.9."

April 10: In 2012, Ken Trimble ("J. Paul Roberts") dies. Age 69. He was GM and did morning drive at WKID in Vevay, Indiana. In 1967, 105.5fm in Auburn signs on as WIFF-FM. Later on, the 102.3fm, LaGrange allocation swapped with the 105.5fm, Auburn allocation. Today, it's WGBJ (102.3fm, Auburn). In 2010, WAWK (1140am, Kendallville) signs on FM translator W238BH (95.5fm).

April 11: In 1968, 100.1fm in Carrollton, Kentucky signs on as WVCM. It later moved to 95.3fm. Today, it targets Madison, Indiana with a country format, as WIKI. In 2003, WKRY (88.1fm, Versailles) began airing a Southern Gospel format.

April 13: In 1953, WSKS 91.3fm, licensed to Wabash (and owned by Wabash High School) signs on the air with 10 watts. In 1983, 100.1fm in French Lick signs on as WFLQ (and still is). In 2016, WCVL (1550am, Crawfordsville) signs on an FM translator: W221CS (92.1fm, Crawfordsville).

April 14: In 2003, WGLL (1570am, Auburn) signs on after six months of silence.

April 16: In 1967, 95.3fm, then licensed to Monticello signs on as WVTL. Today, it's WBPE, licensed to Brookston.

April 17: In 2014, WFNB (92.7fm, Brazil) flipped formats from Adult Hits ("Bob FM") to Hot AC as "B92.7."

April 18: In 1967, 1540am in Martinsville signs on as WCBK. It's now WMYJ(AM). Also, in 2005, Goshen's WKAM (1460am) flipped formats from Soft AC to Regional Mexican.

April 21: In 2011, former WANE-TV (Channel 15, Fort Wayne) President/GM Frank Moore dies at age 74.

That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.

Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch

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All pages Copyright Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and other contributions should be e-mailed to the editors.